Government (In)Action – Days Late and Millions of Dollars Short

Aug 28, 2024

The Wheat Growers are pleased that the federal government has finally listened and invoked Sec. 107 of the Labour Act and put an end to the labour strife at both national railways.

“The Wheat Growers have called for the government to take decisive action since May 2024. Agriculture and all other industrial sectors have been held hostage by this rail strike,” stated Gunter Jochum, President.

The pre-lockout slow-down by the railways has stopped the flow of grain already and will likely take weeks to fully bring everything back up to speed. Meanwhile, our export markets have been watching and some considering alternate grain sources going forward.

To arrive at this juncture is unacceptable to consumers and producers alike. Canadians cannot face the uncertainty of a rail stoppage every year. Stronger action needs to be put in place to ensure certainty for the long-term.

“The Canadian economy has been impacted by this government’s inaction. We did not need to be in this situation,” closed Jochum.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.